Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-01-12
BLOODY SHIRT TROOPERS.
Radicals Charge Democrats With
Intimidation and Assassination.

cthNl
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE petition
of Stephen a. Hackwo-th, real estate
dealer; James l.. Moore, merchant, and
Carl Schultz, eX-District Attorney, OF
Washington county, and editor Of the
Brennan Staats Zeitung. presented to the
Senate to-day by Senator haw ley, sets
forth that they were law-abiding citizens
OF Brenham, Washington county, lex,
who ''dared to believe and maintain the
right to be Republicans in politics"
For this, their only crime," 1t con-
unues, your petit Oners are now eXiles
from their homes, having been compelled
to leave under serious threats OF assassl-
nation, and abandon their property or to
accept tor it SUCH prices as were prof
tered them."
The petition states that at an election
held On the Nov. 2 last "a per-
feet reign OF terror existed in Washing
ton county, caused by armed bands 0
while rutfians, who by violence and by
the destruction OF ballot boxes at Grab
all, Flew w-llen's and Lofts Store elec-
tlon precincts prevented free and fair
expression OF suffrage by the citizens OF
said county, whereby the men in who's
interest these crimes were committed
We're declared elected who were not in
TACT elected and by most shameless and
unblushing frauds the election was made
farce.
WITNESSES MURDERED,
"Every effort made to obtain redress
for wrongs and security for life and prop
erty has been prevented by the wantOn
and cruel murder OF important witnesses,
and by the further TACT that body OF
State troops, ostensibly ordered to the
county TO preserve law and order, IN fact
acted in open concert with the lawless
men who had committed the election out
RACES"
The petition further AYERS that the Re-
pubIcaus are in a majority in Washing
ton county, but that ia order to preven
the Republicans from securing their po-
itical rights and privileges in the county
Alfred Jones, Shadrach Fielder and Stew
art Jones, three cOlored Repu0-
llcans. were arrested upon pre-
| tended and malicious charges oi
CRIME, and while in the custody Of he civil
authorities, Were surrendered TO ku KluX
and hanged, ,t0r the reason tnat "the civil
authorities OF sand county, together WILD
their leading political friends, we'll know
ing that satisfactory and adequate eyl-
dence would be obtalDed at such trial
which would expose and make publlc
their political crimes, ordered and insti-
gated the desJh Of said Alfred Jones,
| Snadrach Fielder and Stewart Jones'"
GOV. IRELAND CENsURED.
The petitioners further allege that John
Ireland, Governor of Texas, has "tailed
and refused to make any effort wEateveI
| to have arrested and brought to trial tht
| lawless men " ho committed this outrage
although the facts were made known u
| him and be was earnestly requested t1
! take prompt action therein"
! After further recitation in more detail
OF the Charges already narrated the peti-
ton concludes: And your petitioners
hereby respectfully submit all matters
herein stated and complained of TO your
honorable body for your careful consider
alton and such action as you may deem
necessary to cure the evils herein stated
aud thereby secure to all citizens of the
! United States their rights under repub
lioan form Of government in fact as wei
| as III name.